A stray SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has crashed into the Moon, creating a crater near the Einstein crater. The empty upper stage of the rocket struck the lunar surface at about 5,400mph (8,700km/h) on Wednesday.
While the impact produced a short, dramatic flash that was difficult for amateur astronomers to observe, larger observatories in the Americas are currently analysing data. The full picture of what happened and what can be learned may take days or weeks to emerge.
For planetary geologists, this accidental collision is considered a significant scientific opportunity. Researchers know the rocket's exact size, speed, and point of impact, which allows them to treat the event as a rare, controlled experiment. This enables them to test models related to how impacts create craters, scatter debris, and send tremors through the Moon's interior.
Nasa's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter is expected to photograph the impact site in the coming days, allowing for before-and-after comparisons. South Korea's Danuri orbiter also passed near the crash site shortly before the impact, and its team has indicated that footage will be released after analysis is complete.